Cinderella, and Little Red Riding Hood all take a turn for the worst as death, deception, and greed overcome their ever so pure lives. The musical, “Into the Woods” by James Lapine, is nonetheless a beautiful and sincere story of life and love.

The story follows a Baker and his wife’s lives as they struggle to bare a child of their own. After a visit from a wicked witch, they are sent on a quest to find four items: a cow as white as milk, a cape as red as blood, hair as yellow as corn, and a slipper as pure of gold; all in order to break the curse to grant the witch her beauty once again and give the couple a child. Into the woods the couple went, encountering the fellow infamous fairy-tale characters.

Coronado High School’s Triple Threat Theatre finely executed this story by truly embracing the surreal concept. In the role of Cinderella, Brianna Jimenez did an exceptional job of portraying the graceful, yet quirky attitude. Her voice complementing Cinderella’s beauty as well. Along with her, in the role of the Baker, Ben Gutierrez did an amazing job of developing his character as well as establishing a very realistic and loving relation with Sofia Moto, playing his wife, who too deserves mention.

Honorable mention is also given to Zach Spencer-Weigart (Jack), Ana Rosales (Jack’s Mother), Fernando Romero (Cinderella’s Prince), and Rebecca Quevedo (Little Red). All of these actors were able to develop characters that were enjoyable and pleasing to listen to. However, the real stars of the show were Sarah Lovett and Ulises Cordova in their respective roles of Witch and Wolf. Lovett’s strong appearance demanded attention that was well deserved as well as her equally strong and beautiful voice. Cordova, though little stage time, wowed the audience with his deep and soothing voice, that left me wishing for more.

Technically speaking, the set of the show was enjoyable and clever. The use of projectors was also pleasing to watch for it gave the illusion of really being in the woods. Though sound did have unpleasant counters, all was made up for by Coronado’s live orchestra. It is always pleasing to have live music for it adds depth and a more personal experience.

To concur, Coronado High School’s Triple Threat will forever serve as a reminder to appreciate the ones you love and not to get lost in the grip of reality.

by Gerralyn Nichole Hill of Socorro High School
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Coronado High School presents “Into the Woods” written by James Lapin. This fairy-tale mash up takes you on a journey as a young baker and his wife try to lift a curse so that they may be blessed with a child, and along the way are joined by Cinderella, Red Riding Hood, Jack, and a few other classical characters. Coronado never fails to impress with their amazingly talented cast and crew.

Cinderella, presented by beautiful Brianna Jimenez, had an absolutely stunning performance. She had a regal air about her and a voice that was as lovely as a songbird’s lullaby as well as having gorgeous tailored gowns that were perfect for royalty. The princely duo played by Fernando Romero and Aaron Gandara shared the best on stage “bromance.” Their performance of “Agony” was hilarious and a very enjoyable performance as two princes shared their pain by striking dramatic poses, and even bringing one of the orchestra members into the play. These two young gentlemen were very playful and embraced their characters to create an entertaining performance that will be remembered.

The main protagonists, The Baker and his wife, represented by Ben Gutierrez and Sofia Mota were a handsome couple and really helped to guide the show along. The Witch, portrayed by Sarah Lovett, sent these two on their mission. She took over the show and all eyes were on her as she sang her heart out She provided comedic relief and had a jaw-dropping transformation that were the highlights of this show. Ms. Lovett truly embraced her character and her representation of the Witch was most closest to her original broadway counterpart.

The set of Into the Woods was smoothly transformed from scene to scene and looked extremely high quality for a High School performance and was extremely appealing to the eye. Completed with fauna accents and a whimsical fireplace the stage looked as if it was straight out of a fairy tale. To complete the showing there was Milky White the cow which an accompanying stagehand would provide the “Moo” dialogue for and had the audience laughing for each gimmick that it was used for. Along with the beloved cow the Coronado Orchestra partnered up with the Coronado Theater to bring live music, which in itself is already appealing, and was the cherry on top of this musical sundae. Coronado has yet to fail to bring an almost professional quality show. Thank you to the Directors, Anderson and Vandertulip, and all those who helped to put such a sublime show together.

“Get out of my swamp!” screams a bitter green ogre, who after a lifetime’s worth of mockery has retreated to a secluded swamp. When coming face to face with a wandering fairytale creature expelled from Lord Farquaad’s kingdom, Shrek is forced to take on the hero’s journey of retrieving the princess from the tower to appease Lord Farquaad and rid the creatures from his swamp. David Lindsay-Abaire’s SHREK THE MUSICAL beautifully depicts the story of self and societal acceptance was well portrayed by America’s High School.

Americas High School’s creativity shined through the commendable props and set pieces utilized throughout the musical. Large signs, cartoon trees, Fiona’s tower, and last but certainly not least: a marvelous dragon, were just a mere representation of the innovative ideas pictured within the production. The use of said materials were not only functional, but provided an evident shift between kingdom and swamp. High praise is well deserved for those working the technical aspects of the show.

Every actor who brought this play to life depicted their character with high energy, developing relationships that were integral to the show’s message. Carlos Soto and Gizelle Rodriguez warmed the hearts of the audience as they portrayed the relationship between Shrek and Fiona. Soto convincingly tells the story of an ogre who faced a form of bullying throughout his life. Nevertheless, he finds and falls in love with someone who surprisingly understands him. Rodriguez had an excellent voice as Fiona, telling the story of a girl who is the epitome of a daydreaming princess.

Jesus Diaz and Larry Ortiz both deserve honorable mentions for their excellent comedic timing and convincing characters within the roles of Donkey and Lord Farquaad. Diaz made choices in portraying Donkey as an energetic and fast speaking character, translated into his entire performance. His commendable transfer of character in his songs was rare within the show; however, Diaz pulled this off well. Ortiz hilariously took on the persona of Lord Farquaad with his height and ego. He never failed to bring a chuckle from the audience every time he shuffled in on his knees towards the stage.

Americas High School’s tech filled the stage with lights and sound effects, transporting the audience into the fairytale world of the characters. Although the set was simple, it served its purpose in portraying the varying areas within the land. The use of the closing and opening of curtains to portray the different portions of Shrek, Donkey, and Fiona’s journey was an innovative use of the stage space.

Americas High School gave a spectacular performance, leaving the audience with a show that was a feel-good experience with a story that we are all familiar with. The Americas theatre troupe stands as a living example of successful high school theatre that deserves the love and support of their community for their performance.

by Brianna Jimenez of Coronado High School

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Witches, bears, fairies, and many more extravagant characters run wild in Americas High School’s production of “Shrek The Musical.”

The story follows as Lord Farquaad takes all the fairytale characters out of Duloc and sends them to a swamp that is owned by an ogre, Shrek. The only way for Shrek to rid his swamp of these fairytale creators is to face the difficult challenge of saving Princess Fiona from a dragon.

Americas High School composed a phenomenal production, with marvelous acting as well as fantastic technical aspects which brings the world of Shrek to life.

In the role of Shrek, Carlos Soto had the audience intrigued throughout the whole production. Soto had an excellent performance by staying in character consistently. He seemed to sing with pure confidence and joy. As for Shrek’s sidekick Donkey performed by Jesus Diaz had the theater filled with tears of laughter. His jokes and acting expressions constructed the mood of the musical.

Fiona, another remarkable character played by Gizelle Rodriguez gave an outstanding performance on stage. She had a great physical appearance and an amazing voice, which made her seem as if she was a real princess.

The fairy tale ensemble was a fascinating contribution to the production by making it more energetic and carried endless amounts laughter.

Technical features where very impressive. The lighting design by Wendy Gachupin had great color schemes and smooth transitions, making the audience aware of the setting.

The set design was great transitioning from the swamp, to Lord Farquaad castle, to Fiona’s room, and to the church. Everything was run smoothly.

The live music was exceptional. The combination of the music and the actor’s voices made the auditorium echo with life.

Overall production of “Shrek The Musical” was satisfying. The great energy that was spread throughout the audience, as well as actors, made the show extraordinary. There was never a dull moment.

The lights of the auditorium dimmed ominously, and a silence crept through the room. A spotlight revealed an ancient Roman, and the audience awaited his next move with bated breath. Everyone was delightedly surprised, then, when the Roman man began to bound ecstatically up and down the stage, and several chorus members joined him in the first of many upbeat musical numbers to come. “Comedy tonight!” they all sung, smiles adorning everyone’s faces. Needless to say, the Worklight Theatre Company of Chapin High School performed an incredible comedy that night!

A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM follows Psuedolus (Jonah Marlow), a slave who, in order to win his freedom, must ensure his master, Hero (Damian Alonso), ends up with the girl of his dreams, the lovely– though slow– Philia (Chloe Curtis). As is the case in many comedies, however, complications arise, leading Psuedolus through plenty of amusing scenarios involving disguises, mistaken identities, long-lost siblings, misunderstandings, and an especially entertaining chase scene.

Jonah Marlow as Psuedolus was not only funny, but also surprisingly charming. In the words of Psuedolus himself, it is “a role of enormous variety and nuance,” and Marlow certainly did a fantastic job of taking on the role! Alex Ramos played Hysterium, another slave who, as can be deduced by his name, is in constant hysterics. Ramos was an absolute delight to watch, and his performance thoroughly engaged the crowd from the get-go. His facial expressions, dynamic gestures, and anxious tics were all hilariously captivating. Uproarious laughter rang throughout the auditorium as Ramos performed “I’m Calm,” wherein Hysterium is quite obviously not calm at all.

The two lovebirds at the core of Psuedolus’s dilemma, Hero and Philia, were equally fun to watch. Damian Alonso’s portrayal of a lovesick fool and Chloe Curtis as an endearing, yet dull, young maiden tugged at everyone’s heartstrings. The connection between the two characters was astoundingly clear as soon as their eyes met, and Curtis and Alonso’s voices blended together gorgeously in their duet, “Lovely.”

Of course, the Proteans, too, must not be forgotten! The Proteans served as chorus members, who worked to fill a variety of parts. Without a doubt, all the people in this group were incredibly versatile, entertaining, and dedicated to their many roles.

Indeed, A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM was a funny thing! Every person involved in this production deserves tremendous congratulation. The Chapin High School Worklight Theatre Company succeeded in putting on a wonderful show, and through it, they proved that comedies really do have “something for everyone!”

by Ana Rosales of Coronado High School

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It was definitely a comedy tonight with Chapin High School’s performance of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. The musical with music by Stephen Sondheim and book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gilbert was a perfect fit for Chapin High School. Inspired by Ancient Rome, the musical follows a slave, Pseudolus (Jonah Marlow), attempting to win his freedom by helping his master’s son, Hero (Damian Alonso) win the heart of Philia (Chloe Curtis).

With the rather fast paced and comedic musical, the actors never missed a beat and mastered true comedic timing. Pseudolus (Marlow) did a phenomenal job pushing the story along with his strong desire to become a free man, but still had a deep connection with Hero (Alonso) and Hysterium (Alex Ramos). Marlow had an amazing stage presence and used his talents to the best of his ability, which had the audience roaring in laughter with his many comedic scenes.

Unforgettable characters like Hysterium (Ramos) and Hero (Alonso) truly exemplified what it meant to be a comedic character and undoubtedly made the show. Ramos’ fantastic portrayal had the audience cackling and falling in love with his eccentric and anxiety reddened character. All of his songs were beyond superb and the way he developed his character was phenomenal. Alonso also did a phenomenal job with truly becoming one with his character and really did sell the typical virgin madly in love with a beautiful girl next door. Alonso had great stage presence even when he was in the background.

Another great character was Philia (Curtis). Curtis did an outstanding job of playing the dull yet lovable girl next door. Along with her acting, Curtis had one of the best voices in the show and made the show even better.

A Funny Thing That Happened on the Way to the Forum was a beyond a success for Chapin High School. It was executed extremely well, but the real success was the sense of unity between the cast and crew. It was genuinely a beautiful thing to see a family on stage and that were so happy to a part of the show. It was a rare sight to see that sense of unity and ultimately that is was elevated the show to be extraordinary. Brava, Chapin.

“Misery, agony, helplessness, hopelessness, heartache, and woe” were all far from what the audience was feeling as they watch Loretto Academy’s vivacious production of CRYBABY. Based on the 1990 film of the same name, this John Water’s toe-tapper follows the story of Allison Vernon Williams and Wade “Cry-Baby” Walker as they face the societal expectations of a satirized 1950’s Baltimore. A good-girl “square” and bad-boy “drape” respectively, the two fall madly in love, allowing for cross-cultural conflict and hilarious hi-jinks to ensue. Combined with the musical’s myriad catchy tunes, the show made for a night-well spent with the “Angels in the Wings” Theatre Company and their many technical achievements, vocal performances, and impressive portrayals.

First off, the technical aspects of the show were very well done, giving the crew a reason to feel accomplished. The lights were never too dark, the sound was commendably subtle, and the props and sets perfectly encapsulated the era. One of my favorite aspects was the car that two of the characters shared a scene in. It looked so much like the iconic 50’s car, and was fully functional, leaving me overjoyed to just have seen it. Though all of the crew did an admirable job, one crew member, Sarah Oberman, appears to have gone above and beyond for the production. Working as Stage Manager, helping with lights and props, running sound, and doing the publicity work for the show, she must have had her hands full; all of her jobs were successfully done, and for that she has my praise.

Acting wise, the whole cast has such wonderful energy, and all appeared to genuinely be having fun as they stood on stage. The two leads, Deanne Sophia Aoun (Allison) and Blake Oaxaca (Crybaby), did a charming job in their roles. Aoun, with a beautiful singing voice and convincing good-girl persona, commanded the stage in each of her scenes. In the title role, Oaxaca was believable as the orphaned and misunderstood delinquent, with a smolder that never faltered throughout the show.

Another standout performance was by Dominic Palisoc in the role of Baldwin Blandish, the “squeaky clean” boyfriend with malicious intentions. Palisoc was hilarious in almost every scene and had a wonderful singing voice to match it. His posse of square Barbershop singers, the Whiffles (Mario Gonzales, Emiliano Reyes, and Zachary Monarez-Grass) were so eclectic and in-synch on numbers such as “Thanks For the Nifty Country” that I couldn’t help but smile each time they appeared.

Also notable was Isabella Noe as the delinquent “Hatchet-face”. With perfect comedic timing and an unmatched sass, Noe made the audience fall in love with the girl who’s “ugly on the inside and out”. However, the standout in this production for me would have to be Danielle Leydon as stalker Lenora. Her crazy actions were uproariously portrayed, and her vocal ability was perhaps the best in the show.

Overall, Loretto academy put on a musical that did everything a musical should do: leave me with tapping feet, a song in my head, and a smile on my face. With few areas that the show faltered, CRYBABY had me crying tears of joy!

by Sarah Lovett of Coronado High School
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Crybaby, a swinging 1950’s themed love story between the city bad boy and the neighborhood sweetheart, inspired by the film by John Waters, was wonderfully executed by Loretto’s theater group, Angels in the Wings Theater Co. Between the talented and lively band that had the audience tapping to the beat and nodding their heads, and the talented cast’s vocals– the show was a sublime one.

With trumpets, drums guitar and a gorgeous piano the live music was a key element that gave the show a little extra pizazz. This is the first I’ve see live music paired up with a high school play. It added a novel quality to the show and with the extremely talented musicians playing it made the performance one of a kind. Another thing that swept the audience away to the lively town of Baltimore was that part of the cast started in the audience and were in perfect character the whole time. Mona “Hatchet-Face” Malnorowiski, a rebel with a disfigured face and plenty of attitude, played by the talented Isabella Noe not only performed the character, but was actually the character herself. When she sat in the audience her playful dialogue with her peers had giggles spreading throughout the audience. She never missed a beat swinging her hips and snapping to the rhythm

The lead duo, Allison Vernon Williams and Wade “Crybaby” Walker, performed by Deane Sophia Aoun and Blake Oaxaca, made a handsome couple as they harmonized in playful duets and unraveled their story of romance to the audience. The female protagonist, Lenora as presented by Danielle Leydon, had splendid vocals and character. There wasn’t a note she missed. This young actress and singer was obviously having the time of her life on stage. Her fellow cast members also shared her enjoyment, and nothing makes a show better than a cast who is having fun doing what they do.

Loretto put on a successfully entertaining and playful show. This has been the only play that I have seen that has been accompanied by live professional music. To add on to the multiple things that made this performance an amazing one the cast was filled with talented actors who never broke out of character, and lovely vocals that made you want to sing along with them. The directors who tag-teamed this project, Mrs. Cortez and Ms. Wages, did a superb job in their choices and I believe a special appreciation for them and the musical director Billy Townes is needed. Loretto has much to offer in their theater and their musical Crybaby shows what they have to give.

Happiness is morning and evening, daytime and nighttime, and getting to spend a fun night at Socorro High School’s production of the classically charming musical YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN. This beloved show, based on the iconic Peanuts comic strips, originally premiered in 1967 and met a praised re-imagination in 1999. It follows the adventures of Charlie Brown, Lucy, Snoopy, and the whole Peanuts gang and their discovery of what “Happiness” truly is. The Teatristas did a commendable job of presenting the nostalgic childhood characters, from their adorable portrayals to their incredibly imposing tech work.

To begin, the acting company did a great job of convincingly becoming 5-year olds. Every performer on stage gave piles of energy, and their physicality wonderfully matched that of rambunctious, careless little kids which made the show entertaining in itself. Also making the musical enjoyable were individual performances that really captured the youthful and jubilant essence of Peanuts. In the title role, Daniel Lozano was truly lovable as everyone’s favorite “block head.” Matched with perhaps the best singing voice of the show, he gave a performance that was both extremely heart-warming and hilarious, encompassing all the characteristics of the Charlie Brown we all know and love. Equally as striking was Damaris Hernandez as Snoopy. She brought so much comedic value to the role, leaving the audience rolling in laughter after her solo, “Suppertime.” Hernandez also had a delightful vocal ability that was made even better by the character she brought to each of her songs. Other n
otable portrayals were by Jade Havens (Lucy), Frida Delgadillo (Sally), and Alina Ramirez as Linus, who had one of the cutest scenes of the show during her dance number in “My Blanket and Me”.

Still, the most impactful aspects of the show were the technical choices that were made. Several times I was in awe as each set piece rolled on, from an oversized couch to Snoopy’s dog house (which amazingly transformed into a plane). I specifically loved all of the handmade oversized props, like giant pencils and a huge remote, to add to the illusion of the “kids” small size. The lights were masterfully selected and executed, with one of my favorite techniques being the shift to red lighting during Snoopy’s becoming a “fierce jungle animal.” All of the tech, from sounds to set pieces to stage management, absolutely blew me away, and was beyond what I usually see at the high school level.

After getting to be in the audience of Socorro’s darling performance of YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN, I have been reminded of several important verities: Lucy will move the football every time, Charlie Brown says “Good Grief,” and the students at Socorro High know what it means to work hard and produce a fun, endearing show!

by Sarah Lovett of Coronado High School

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A siren blared through the auditorium, its echo bouncing off the walls. All eyes turned toward the stage, met with the sight of a particular black and white beagle sitting atop its classic red doghouse. Part of the structure’s roof came down to the sides to create airplane wings, and Snoopy prepared to take down the infamous Red Baron once and for all.

And as Snoopy (Damaris Hernandez) navigates hostile skies, Charlie Brown (Daniel Lozano) attempts to navigate the everyday life of a “more-than-five” year old. YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN brings to the stage the beloved comic strip characters of Charles M. Schulz, and the Socorro High School Teatristas bring to the stage an unparalleled excellence in musical theater.

Although the cast seemed to shy away from belting out or sustaining notes (which at moments made the audience feel as though something might be lacking), their voices worked well together. Each member of the company built off one another to create a lovely sound, and everyone had the chance to shine during the full company musical numbers.

Daniel Lozano wonderfully captured the attitude of everybody’s favorite lovable loser, Charlie Brown. The spirit of an underdog manifests itself through Lozano’s mannerisms and facial expressions as Charlie Brown, as well as through solemn solos about his day-to-day hardships, including an incredibly awkward but sweet crush on a certain little red-haired girl. Good grief!

Of course, the familiar bossy drama queen, Lucy van Pelt (Jade Havens), also makes an appearance. Haven perfectly portrayed the essence of a crabby big sister who, at the end of the day, truly loves her little brother. There was definitely audible swooning at the endearing sibling moments Linus and Lucy shared together on stage.

While the Van Pelt family stole our hearts, however, Snoopy stole the show. Damaris Hernandez did an utterly amazing job of playing the cute, adventurous beagle everyone has come to know and love. Hernandez’s rhythm, stage presence, and vocal inflection took the character dynamic of Snoopy to the next level. The audience would absolutely roar with laughter anytime this precious pup would bound onto the stage and do something as simple as blow a raspberry, because it was done with such an added flair.

Snoopy’s doghouse, too, was just as show-stopping as Snoopy. It was enormous, beautiful, and impressively built, alongside every other piece of the set, including Charlie Brown’s house and the iconic brick wall Charlie Brown and his friends lean against. Seeing these gorgeous set pieces flawless glide on stage and seem to magically align themselves into place was simply astonishing. Overall, with dazzling lights, costumes, and sets, this production was a spectacle to be remembered.

YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN is a charming, nostalgic musical which delivers a meaningful reminder about happiness, and Socorro High School’s Teatristas did a marvelous job of portraying that message: that “happiness is anyone and anything at all that’s loved by you.”

As racism is such a hot issue in 2018, its important to find an understanding as to how racism can play a role in everyday life. Clybourne Park is a production that the world needs to see now. It is an eye-opening show with perfectly timed comic relief that truly resonates with you. Chapin High School pulled off an amazing performance with this production.

A sequel to “A Raisin in the Sun,” the play opens with a white family about to move and selling their house to a black family in the late 1950s of Chicago. As the family prepares for moving day tempers flare with neighbors as they discuss moving situations. Harsh words are shared about possible living arrangements that don’t seem to fit into certain lifestyles. The second act jumps into the modern times of 2019 as the roles are reversed when a white family buys a house in a predominately black neighborhood. Again, races have been pitted against each other as the problem of gentrification rises.

The set was put in different time frames, and the simplicity of these two houses worked with the different types of settings each family possessed. The lighting seemed to always capture the true facial expressions of the actors and left you in tears. Almost instantaneously the actors worked well together to find that perfect chemistry to keep the flow going in such a dialogue heavy show.

One actor in particular completely stole the show and sent you on a rollercoaster of emotions. Russ, played by Jacob Terrel, was amazing to watch on stage. He was extremely prideful yet empathetic to his dear wife Bev. The way he commanded his role with such demand left you in awe. Terrel is a whirlwind of talent that portrays a character in a way that is unmatched in potential, it is nothing less than a privilege to watch him on stage.

There are nothing but good things to say about this performance; it was simply an amazing show. The actors played their parts beautifully and made such a believable performance, that your own morals were almost questionable at moments. It left you rolling in your seat and left you in tears at the very end. There is something to learn about racism and gentrification, and how it can effect the lives of people. This show makes a great note of it. Chapin High School has an exquisite group of actors and they deserve to have this show displayed in front of the whole community.

by Shaniece Buckley of Americas High School

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Chapin High School’s production of Clybourne Park focuses on racism and gentrification throughout the late 1950’s and present time. The spin-off of “A Raisin in the Sun” loosely follows the events that happen before the original characters move into the neighborhood.

In the first act, set in 1959, Russ played by Jacob Terrel and Bev played by Baylee Crotzer, are selling their house in Clybourne Park. The now sold home is in a predominately middle-class white neighborhood, leaving many residents, like Karl Linder played Damian Alonso, worried.

While Russ and Bev seem to be the perfect nuclear family at first, it is unveiled that their son had committed suicide which has put a strain on their relationship. Both Terrel and Crotzer accurately played the roles of a married couple slowly being torn apart. Although Terrel’s character was dialogue heavy, he managed to keep the character alive during scenes with Karl Linder(Alonso) and Jim played by Raymond Orosco. When Terrel finally snapped and spewed out profanity, it allowed for the audience to connect with the cast and almost empathize with them.

In the second act, the show is brought to the present time, where Clybourne Park is now a predominately black neighborhood, which has fallen victim to gentrification. Steve, played by Jonah Marlow, and Lindsay played by Chloe Curtis, are interested in buying and rebuilding the same house from the first act, leaving the homeowners, Kevin played by Kevin Vargas, and Lena played by Alexis Jacobs Cornelius, to discuss the legal matters of the situation.

In the first act racism was blatantly the main subject, as shown through characters like Karl (Alonso), in the second act it has become ingrained into the characters and creates the overtone which was displayed in Steve’s (Marlow) jokes, keeping the racism alive. Marlow’s quick response allowed for comedic relief after his racist and homophobic jokes and comments. Allowing Vargas and Cornelius to create what felt to be a real fight.

With the heavy themes of racism and gentrification, Chapin High School has successfully executed Clybourne Park during our present times in America.

Kids laughing, a crisp breeze, aromatic foods, and Christmas carols. In Pebble Hills Theater Department’s production of “A Christmas Carol,” we are reminded that the holidays are meant to indicate that despite the hardships and stress, there is nothing more important than spreading joy and love to those around you.

The story follows the night of Christmas Eve as it is full of love and laughs for all, except one, the vile and lonesome, Ebenezer Scrooge. Scrooge is repulsed by the Christmas spirit and treats anyone from the poor beggar, to his own family with bitterness. It is not until Mr. Scrooge is in bed that he is visited by his deceased colleague who comes to warn him that without a change of his greed and selfish ways, he will die forever alone. He is then visited by three spirits; the Ghost of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come. Through them, Scrooge is shown the true meaning of Christmas and learns to love and melt his cold heart.

In the role of Ebenezer Scrooge, Jerusalen Felicicier does an amazing job of portraying her harsh character and his change of heart. She held a strong stage presence and never dropped character; even while crying her impression of an older male never ceased. Beside her, in the role of Young Scrooge and his employee, Bob Cratchit, Ariel Castillo too did an exceptional job with her two male characters.

A couple of more standouts were Everette Ramey and Jasmine Clark in their roles of Ghost Christmas Present/ Yet to Come and Sweetheart. Ramey took charge while on stage, drawing all eyes on him, and his articulation was well appreciated. Clark also did a great job during her emotional departure from the Young Scrooge.

The tech aspects of the show were absolutely, intriguing. The show was performed within a Black Box, allowing for a simple yet nonetheless useful set. The lights were also very precise and went without a hitch. The makeup was also done beautifully and even though the audience was closer than usual, it all looked natural.

Overall, Pebble Hills Theater Department did an exceptional job on their production of “A Christmas Carol,” and left many feeling the Christmas Spirit.

by Gerralyn Nichole Hill of Socorro High School
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As the holidays come upon us, it is customary to focus on the Christmas classics as a way to get into the spirit. And nothing is as unforgettable as the tale of Mr. Ebenezer Scrooge. Pebble Hills High School plunges us into the Christmas spirit with this festive rendition.

Scrooge is the hard-headed businessman who seems to put work before personal life and more importantly Christmas. On Christmas eve he is visited by three apparitions sent by his deceased partner Jacob Marley to recount the errors of his Christmas past, present, and Christmas yet to come. Through these three visits he learns the error of his ways and changes his demeanor in order to save his Christmas.

No one is as unforgettable a character as Ebenezer Scrooge, with an amazingly stubborn attitude and apathetic nature he is nothing less than a Grinch. Scrooge is expected to be crotchety, rigid, and cold to all who encounter him and that is exactly what Jerusalen Felicicier had brought in her performance. Her portrayal as an old man was nothing less than exemplary as she went through the play, there was not a moment where she lost the attention of the audience members.

One thing that is truly outstanding about Pebble Hills is their ability to include audience members into the show and this play is no exception. As a special light was shown at the audience it alerted members to start singing jingle bells together as a chorus. It was such a unique twist to Christmas carolers that it worked remarkably well with the characters. It enveloped the audience in such a way that it made you feel as though you were in the same room as Scrooge himself.

The spirits of Christmas are such a big part of the overall story that they need to be prominent throughout their entire presence. One that deserves particular praise would have to be the ghost of Christmas present played by Everette Ramsey. When he came on stage he immediately grabbed focus, Everette’s booming voice cut through the silence and almost left you with chills. He had such a powerful presence for his scene that it seemed to surround him entirely. There was no way you could tear yourself away from his performance even if you wanted to.

The Christmas Carol is a holiday tradition that is always going to be shared throughout generations. To be part of such a beautifully done show is a great honor that Pebble Hills has shared. This show is something to experience for yourself if you are a fan of the holidays and want to be put into the Christmas spirit.

A shy beautiful young girl with a limp and a love for glass figurines is set up to try and find love by her mother. The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams is a beautiful “memory play” as described by one of the characters. Loretto did a superb job when it came to the set and how the actors portrayed their characters.

One can not begin to describe this play without mentioning the set. The stage was set up to resemble an apartment in 1937 with wallpaper covering the walls to actually make it a realistic home. There were antique lamps and radios that the characters interacted with and knick-knacks spread about that brought the play to life. They set was wonderfully put together. When the set was first revealed there was an audible gasp as the audience saw how beautiful the stage was. The little St. Louis apartment was simply gorgeous and succeeded in sweeping the audience into the humble life of Laura Wingfield.

Laura Wingfield played by Deane Sophia Aoun captured the character’s innocence and desire to just stay in her head and go about life not bothering anybody. Her character was a unicorn among horses. Her sweet southern charm being her horn. Bella Noe who portrayed Amanda Wingfield, who is the mother of Laura and Tom, was simply superb. She knew how to turn a mistake into a humorous event so that you couldn’t tell that it was improvised. Accidently spilling lemonade at one point and Bella’s improversation was so seamless that one could not tell she was improvising, and as a result one of the funniest lines in the play was born. She was someone who was able to take the pressure of performing and like a true actor let the show go on without skipping a beat.

The narrator of the story, Tom Wingfield, as played by Mario Gonzales, guided us through his memory and he recalled the events that happened throughout the play. The way Mr. Gonzalez described the scenes almost reminded me of Tobey Maguire in his performance of Nick Carraway in the The Great Gatsby. Once the young actor started narrating it was hard not to listen to the beautiful words he was reciting.

Loretto did quite an amazing job in this production.

by Emma Arms of Pebble Hills High School

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The Glass Menagerie

Loretto Academy’s performance of The Glass Menagerie revolves around the story of a family struggling financially with everyone hoping for a successful resolution. Although there were only four people in the entire cast they were able to tell a beautiful story of how everyone in the household is struggling through their own life along with everyone else. The actors involved in the play told a beautiful story and had the audience in a roller coaster of emotions towards the second act.

Although the energy was not quite there in the first act it simply made a dramatic increase towards the second act with the entrance of Jim O’Connor portrayed by Damian Alonso. Jim entered with a new presence compared to everyone and brought a comedic energy to the atmosphere in which the other cast was able to interact with. He was able to play such a character that expressed a deep love with Laura Wingfield, played by Deane Sophia Aoun, in one simple conversation that led to a romantic yet awful climax. Damian as portrayed by Jim O’Connor brought amazement to the stage that everyone in the room could feel.

Damian wasn’t the only one who was able to deliver an amazing performance, Amanda Wingfield, played by Bella Noe, also did an amazing job for The Glass Menagerie. With set pieces falling Bella was able to improvise flawlessly and made the whole audience roar with laughter. It was clear to see what kind of mother Bella was portraying during the play. She made marvelous facial expressions and overall brought a joyous energy throughout the play. Deane Sophie Aoun, did an amazing job portraying the innocent daughter and sister who always wanted something more in life. She was able to show her love for her glass menagerie and broke the audience’s heart at times when she was in her worst moments. Deane had wonderful energy with Damian and was able to play off one of the most climatic scenes in the whole play seamlessly. She reminded the audience that although everyone is different they all have a heart and during the performance Deane showed what Laura’s heart was like on inside an
d what it was like to be a woman “with a slight defect” during that time.

Tom Wingfield, played by Mario Gonzalez, was the main character in The Glass Menagerie and he was able to show the audience the world through his eyes and the importance of “going to the movies.” Mario showed the importance of doing something meaningful in life or else one may simply end up going to the movies to have a sense of adventure in life. With a breathtaking scenery of a beautifully decorated home and street in the very front of the stage it really gave a beautiful touch to the whole scene.

Love can come in many forms, and sometimes may only be realized through the greatest of obstacles. Whether familial, romantic, tragic, or forbidden, Pebble Hills did a beautiful job of conveying this message in their production of METAMORPHOSES, written by Mary Zimmerman. Based on the Greek Myths of Ovid, this show features a plethora of tragic and engaging stories are told in a series of vignettes. From the breathtaking aesthetic of the show, to the impressive performances of the student actors, I couldn’t help being incredibly impressed with this production.

To begin, every single actor on stage gave a stunning performance. Because of the style of the play, there were no leads, but each performer shined within their own brief storyline. It is difficult to cite specifics because of the abundance of noteworthy performances, but some highlights include Jordan Williams as the tragically cursed Myrrha, Gene Brown as the uproariously angst-ridden Phaeton, and Zachary Rebollo as the hopelessly-in-love Vertumnus. Exhibiting a range of emotions and building realistic relationships, I truly believed every actor in their role. Equally as impressive was the fact that I could hear nearly every word that was spoken very clearly, so there was nothing to take my attention away from the heartbreaking story.

Another significant contribution was on the part of Scarlett Flores, who not only gave a phenomenal and interpretive performance as the manifestation of Hunger, but who also choreographed many of the dances and movements used throughout the show. These did a wonderful job of conveying the heart of the story artistically, and they were truly a sight to behold, such as when two forbidden lovers engaged in a tango (not to mention one of them was blindfolded). Similarly, the staging of the show as a whole was appreciated, for there never seemed to be a moment when anyone was out of place or upstaged. These aspects were also creative, such as having two people engaging in a therapy session on opposite sides of the stage, resulting in beautiful stage pictures.

However, one could not review this show without mention of the fantastic technical aspects. First off, the lights were gorgeously used, creating visions of green swirls and dark shades to invoke feelings of tragedy and Greek life. There was never a moment when an actor was in the dark, or a spotlight was delayed, which is commendable. The sound was perfect, both in selection and timing, especially the music which served as a brilliant undertone for the events at hand. One of my favorite aspects were the costumes, which covered a variety of eras from present to primitive, and were each exceedingly pleasing to the eye. Notably, a scene which displayed the extent to which these technical jobs were wonderfully executed was when a ship was sinking, complete with wind whooshing, lights flashing, and fabric flying. The show was chock-full of stunning effects such as this, so much so that I audibly gasped a number of times.

With performances and effects as strong as the heartfelt lessons the story taught, METAMORPHOSES conveyed to us all a little something about the true meaning of love, especially in some of the show’s final words, “Let me not outlive my own capacity to love”. The Spartans managed to pull off what I think, truthfully, was one of the best shows I have seen at the high school level, for which they have my utmost applause.

by Sarah Lovett of Coronado High School
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“Let me die still loving and so never die.” These words echoed across the theater, creating a chill in the air, but a warmth within the heart. Pebble Hills High School’s METAMORPHOSES beautifully captures the spirit of love. The story is broken apart into a series of shorter tales, all containing themes familiar to the human condition: love, and greed, and lust, and loss. Pebble Hills High School delivered a refreshingly genuine performance, treating these stories with utmost care and appreciation.

Even before the start of the play, sounds of ambiance flooded the theater, transporting the audience into the mythical worlds the actors were about to introduce. The combined elegance of the costumes, the skillfully-constructed set, and the technical aspects of the show created beautiful stage pictures. Never was there a dull moment with this production. The thunderous applause at the end of the show was not only for the actors, but just as much for the technicians who crafted this dazzling play into the aesthetically-pleasing dream it was.

The actors, themselves, of course, are the ones who guided us into the myriad of worlds entangled within the story of METAMORPHOSES. Audiences are first greeted by the indulgent King Midas, played by Cedric Dorman. Everything about the way Dorman carried the character of Midas reflected exactly which primal emotion this tale would teach about: greed. Dorman perfectly captured the essence of a man who would, in an instant, chose riches over family; or rather, so it seemed he would. Once his daughter’s life is gone by his own hands, Dorman’s facial expressions and desperate movements now showed a father who would do anything for his child. This shift in character dynamic was so powerful in and of itself, but also incredibly beautiful, setting the tone for the rest of the performance.

It was clear every single actor who came on stage had a connection with their characters, and were therefore able to give a spellbinding performance. Jordan Williams in particular, captures the psychological turmoil Myrrha faces after she is cursed by the goddess Aphrodite. Plagued by thoughts of her father, she is eventually driven to act upon these feelings, portrayed on stage with a breathtaking ballroom tango between Myrrha and her father. (Bravo to Scarlett Flores, the choreographer, for encompassing the complexity of this scene so beautifully.) Williams’ performance of a young girl wracked with guilt was nothing less than astonishing. Her screams and sobs the moment her father realizes the truth were enough to rip a heart in two, even knowing what she did was wrong.

In the end, METAMORPHOSES spun a tale of love, and what people are willing to do for it. The answer was given to us in a captivating manner by Pebble Hills High School. People will die for love, change for love, share, kill, betray for love. Absolutely every detail of this show astounded, and is sure to linger in audience’s minds and hearts for long after the final curtain call.

“It’s supposed to hurt, that means it meant something,” PETER AND THE STARCATCHER reminds us, and Montwood High School beautifully captured the message of this whimsical tale. The story revolves around a young and adventurous Molly Aster, and her quest to save her father from a band of pirates. Along the way, she encounters a ragtag group of orphan boys who will join her on her mission, one of whom is to become the fated Peter Pan.

Donovan Spann, who played the mischievous, orphaned boy later to be named Peter Pan, had an incredible energy on stage. His mannerisms, facial expressions, and body language worked together wonderfully to reflect just how young and innocent he is at the start of his story. His childlike grin filled hearts with tremendous amounts of joy, and his dejected pout amused all, while his emotional outbursts left audiences teary-eyed and gaping at the scene. Peter Pan’s rival, the fearsome—barely! —Captain Black Stache, played by Luisa Cuellar, proved equally strong in many aspects, especially including stage presence. Whether it was Cuellar’s lively movements across the stage, hilarious mispronunciation of words, or even the occasional anachronism, the crowd roared with laughter at any given moment this pirate captain was on stage.

Gloria Nunez, who played Ted, the food-obsessed of the orphaned trio, also had audiences giggling with her silly expressions and portrayal of a boy who just couldn’t get enough sticky pudding. Carlos Cisneros, who played both Betty Bumbrake, Molly’s bumbling nanny, and Teacher, a wise and beautiful mermaid, was brimming with energy and a presence that caused everyone to crack up anytime he said anything that was even joke-adjacent. Cyehsa Bennett, who took on a whopping total of three roles (Mack, Sanchez, and Fighting Prawn), was in the story from the beginning, as a crude caretaker for the orphans, her shouts resounding within the auditorium, all the way until the end, as a hilarious leader of an island tribe, her hysterical poses and faces leaving everyone doubled over with laughter.

Although there were a few issues with character and relationship-building on the stage, the ensemble work of the entire cast was terrific. The amazing teamwork most reflected itself within the climactic fight scene between the pirates and our heroes; there was dynamic pose after dynamic pose, as characters leapt and ducked and crawled across the stage in slow motion, creating unforgettable tableaus when characters froze mid-battle.

If ever there was anything more menacing across the seven seas, it would be the scary-good energy of this cast! As this beautiful performance drew to an end, everyone was sad to see it go. That sadness was good, however, because, as we were reminded within the final heart-warming scene of this story: that means it meant something.

Reviewed by Ana Rosales of Coronado High School

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“Home is when you’re out of the dark”, and the audience had the pleasure to see Peter, Captain Hook, and the whole Neverland gang find their “home” in Montwood High School’s charming performance of PETER AND THE STARCATCHER. Based on the novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, and adapted by Rick Elice, this touching play tells the origins of the timeless tale of Peter Pan. From swashbucklers to star-stuff, Montwood delivered with enjoyable performances as unforgettable as the classic story itself.

With each actor serving both as ensemble and a distinct character (or multiple), the entire company exhibited tremendous range. As a group, one could admire their extremely high-energy, which never faltered throughout the show. One moment when this was evident was in the “You Made a Mermaid Out of Me” sequence, in which every performer (yes, especially the men) became colorful mermaids and sang a song with such whimsy that every last audience member was smiling. They also had impressive pacing, which grabbed the audience’s attention from beginning to end. Sometimes, the quickness of this pacing could create problems with articulation, leaving some of the lines inaudible. However, this did not much hinder the story as a whole, and especially not the individual portrayals.

In the role of the precocious Molly, Vanessa Velarde was charming. She did a great job of taking us through the story, as well as believably being a young girl. The Lost Boys (Gloria Nunez, Alyssa Montano, Donovan Spann) similarly captured the youthful energy, while also being hilarious as the boyish adventurers. One of my favorite scenes of the show was when these Lost Boys comically attempted to tell a bedtime story to their capturers in order to escape. They exhibited a delightful comradery that really allowed the audience to care about what happened to the boys in their hijinks.

Notably, Spann, in the role of Peter, shone like the stardust he spends a majority of the show helping to deliver. He played his part with overwhelming emotion and charm, breaking our hearts while also bringing smiles to our faces. Additionally, many other actors gave uproarious performances in supporting roles, such as Cyesha Bennett (Sanchez), Sara Soto (Slank), and the but-gusting Carlos Cisneros (Betty Bumbrake). One actor that was definitely a stand-out was Luisa Cuellar as Captain Black Stache (aka Captain Hook). Her physicality and accent, coupled with her hilarious timing absolutely stole the show.

The technical aspects of the show were impressive as well. The effects controlled by students were seamless and mostly went unnoticed, which is a good thing in theatre. Specifically, I enjoyed the sound, both in how it was perfectly timed and seemed to blend just enough to be noticeable but without drowning out the actors. I also appreciated the way in which the students handled the creative blocking, such as holding up flags to create the illusion of a monster’s mouth, or running out screaming into the audience when they were afraid. The hard work of the crew was evident in the effortless transitions of the play.

Though there were errors, Montwood’s production of PETER AND THE STARCATCHER succeeded in telling a lovely story, and by highlighting the talent of their students. Due to the efforts of the crew and the portrayals of the actors, one could definitely say this show was “Darling”!

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Cappies

The El Paso Cappies Blog is here to provide information about high school theater in El Paso. We will be providing reviews of shows past and previews of shows to come. Most of our content will be student generated.